“What a gorgeous morning for a run.”
“You should have let me know you were going out. I would have joined you.”
Running was something Victoria had never been keen on. She found it monotonous. Her exercise program involved a very expensive trainer and the comfort of a home gym. She claimed that when it came to working out, she needed someone to push her.
“I wasn’t sure how late you were up with Drew and didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Mrs. Farnes said you intended to run five miles. Is that what you normally do?”
“I fluctuate between two and seven depending on how much time I have.”
“How long have you been running?”
She began unbuckling Drew from the stroller. The little boy reached for her, indicating he wanted to be picked up. “All my life. The only way I got any time by myself was if I put on my running shoes and hit the road.”
“So if I offer to keep you company tomorrow, you’ll turn me down?”
She shook her head. “I’d love to have you come along.” She lifted Drew high in the air and spun him around. As his laughter filled the spacious foyer, she snuggled him against her chest and dropped a kiss on his head. “Have you had breakfast?”
Blake was so captivated by the mother/son moment that her question didn’t initially register. After a pause, he said, “No. I was waiting until you got back.”
“Then let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
She carried Drew into the kitchen and put him in the high chair Mrs. Farnes had set up at the table in the breakfast nook. While Blake fastened on Drew’s bib, Bella helped the housekeeper carry over plates of eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast and fruit. Blake cut up a variety of things he knew Drew liked and placed them before his son.
“What are your plans for the day?” he asked, keeping one eye on Drew in case he decided the food wasn’t to his liking and began to throw it.
“I thought I’d take Drew to the beach this morning. Maybe take him for a swim later this afternoon if it’s warm enough.”
“There’s a car in the garage for you to use if you want to get out,” Blake said. “There’s the children’s museum and a petting zoo at the Wilkinson Farm. With all the things to do in the area, I’m sure it will be easy to keep Drew entertained.”
Bella gave him a wry smile. “At his age you can sit him in the kitchen with a pot and a wooden spoon to bang on it and he would be perfectly content.”
Blake pictured the myriad of toys that crowded his son’s room and realized what Bella said was completely true. Everything engaged Drew’s imagination, from a brightly colored train that played songs when he pressed its buttons to a stainless-steel pot that made a racket when he banged on it.
“The beach sounds nice. Mind if I join you?”
Her smile was shy as she answered, “That would be nice.”
“We can go out for lunch later.”
“I’m sure Drew would like that.” The phone strapped to her upper arm began to buzz. She unfastened the band and eyed the screen. “It’s my brother. Excuse me for a second.”
She got up from the table and strode out of the kitchen. Blake’s gaze followed her departing form until Drew banged on his tray to get his father’s attention.
“More banana?” Blake sliced the fruit for his son, then turned his attention to Bella’s low voice.
“Another nine hundred?” she quizzed, her tone concerned. “But I already gave you five to buy the truck. What is the nine hundred for?” A long pause followed her question. “Is that the cheapest quote you got?” More silence. “I realize that the truck does you no good if it doesn’t run. Okay. I’ll see what I can do about the money.” Her voice grew louder as she approached. “Elephant shoes,” she said as she sat back down. With a sigh, she disconnected the call.
“That’s a strange way to say goodbye.”
She offered him a wan grin. “It’s a family joke.”
“Feel like telling me about it?” Blake buttered more toast and set it on her plate, then pushed the bowl of preserves her way.
“It started with my parents.” Her mood perked up as she began her tale. “They met through 4-H when they were teenagers, but lived in towns an hour apart so they didn’t go to the same high school. But their schools competed against each other in football and basketball. My dad played both.” Bella slathered preserves on her toast and cast a wry look Blake’s way. “Naturally, my mom was a cheerleader so she was always rooting against my dad.”